Ankhen (The Eyes) is a 1968 Hindi spy thriller produced and directed by Ramanand Sagar. After the surprise big hit of Farz as a spy thriller, Sagar came out with a bigger budget film in the same genre, shot in many international locations. This was the first Hindi film shot in Beirut.
| Ankhen | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Ramanand Sagar |
| Written by | Ramanand Sagar |
| Produced by | Ramanand Sagar |
| Starring | Mala Sinha Dharmendra Mehmood Kumkum Sujit Kumar |
| Cinematography | G. Singh |
| Edited by | Lachhmandass |
| Music by | Ravi |
| Distributed by | Sagar Art International |
Release date | 20 September 1968 |
Running time | 174 min |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
The film stars Mala Sinha, Dharmendra, Mehmood, Lalita Pawar, Jeevan and Madan Puri.
It was estimated to be the most profitable Indian film of 1968 in India.[1]
Ankhen is considered to be a pioneer in Hindi spy films.[2] It was initially planned to be shot when Dharmendra had just one film. But the director Ramanand Sagar had apprehensions of casting him since he was considered raw and was not yet a star; therefore, he recruited a huge star of the period, Mala Sinha, opposite him for marketing considerations. With the success of Phool Aur Paththar, Sagar decided to increase his budget and finalize Dharmendra as the leading man.
This film won Ramanand Sagar his only Filmfare award for Best Director.
Plot edit
Shortly after independence, India faces terrorists attacks in Assam, resulting in many deaths and casualties. A group of concerned citizens, who are not connected with the government, decide to do something to stop this carnage. While Salim is already at work in Beirut, his cover is blown, and he is shot dead. Now Sunil Mehra (Dharmendra) must travel to Beirut and take over. Once there, he meets a former flame, Meenakshi Mehta, and a female admirer by the name of Zenab.
The terrorists are headed by a man named Syed, who deputes one of his assistants, Madame, to spy on Sunil's dad, Diwan Chand Mehra, by posing as Mehra's daughter's aunt, forcing her to obey by abducting her son, Babloo, and holding him captive. Soon Syed and his associates, including Doctor X and Captain, find out all secrets of Mehra, as a result of which Sunil is trapped and held by Syed. Then Diwan's world is shattered when Meenakshi telephonically informs him that Sunil has been killed. The question remains what will happen to Babloo, Diwan, and the rest of the concerned citizens, especially when they have become vulnerable due to Madame's presence in their very household.
Cast edit
- Dharmendra as Sunil
- Mala Sinha as Meenakshi Mehta
- Kumkum as Sunanda
- Sujit Kumar as Nadeem
- Mehmood as Mehmood
- Nazir Hussain as Major Diwanchand
- Parduman as Akram
- Lalita Pawar as Madam
- Daisy Irani as Lily
- Jeevan as Doctor
- Madan Puri as Captain
- Sajjan as Syed, Boss in Beirut
- Dhumal as Studio Owner
- Zeb Rehman as Princess Zehnab
- Madhumati as Madhu (Dancer)
- Master Ratan as Babloo
- Amarnath as Salim
- M. B. Shetty as Bald Guard
- Hiralal as Sheikh (Jewellery dealer)
Songs edit
The music is by Ravi and the lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi.
- "Milti Hai Zindagi Mein Mohabbat" - Lata Mangeshkar
- "Gairon Pe Karam" - Lata Mangeshkar
- "De Data Ke Naam Tujhko Allah Rakhe" - Manna Dey and Asha Bhosle
- "Loot Ja" - Asha Bhosle, Kamal Barot and Usha Mangeshkar
- "Meri Sunle Aaj" - Lata Mangeshkar
- "Us Mulk Ki Sarhad Ko" - Mohammed Rafi
Awards edit
| Awards | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16th Filmfare Awards | Best Film | Ramanand Sagar | Nominated |
| Best Director | Won | ||
| Best Story | Nominated | ||
| Best Music Director | Ravi | ||
| Best Lyricist | Sahir Ludhyanvi | ||
| Best Female Playback Singer | Lata Mangeshkar | ||
| Best Cinematography (colour) |
G. Singh | Won |
Trivia edit
- Dara Singh's eldest son Parduman debut from this film.
- The hotel in which Dharmendra stays in Beirut is Carlton Hotel, built in 1960 and was demolished in 2008 for some new project.
References edit
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Sunny Deol is a spy with a heart". The Times of India.
- ^ "Filmfare Nominees and Winners" (PDF). Deep750.googlepages.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
